At exactly 10:14am a collective sigh echoed through the cafe, as if air had been decompressed from everybody's lungs. Panic etched into every customer's eyes. Archie grimaced, Wren gasped, the loud talking Gym buff Chris, jolted to his feet, wooden chairs screeched across the concrete floor.
The clatter of cutlery filled the sudden silence as the television screen flickered into static. The room was plunged into darkness as the power abruptly cut, chills tickled the customers spines as arctic air descended, reminiscent of that fateful day, February 5th.
“It’s just a power cut, it’s just a power cut sweetie” A mother reassured her child.
They all wished it was that simple. Formerly strangers, customers now found themselves drawn together, seeking comfort, warmth and safety in numbers they huddled towards the back of the cafe.
Chris strode towards the window, Archie slowly trailing behind him, Wren opted to stay by the coffee station. Filled with dread, Archie looked out, a lump in his throat made it hard to swallow, dread gnawed his insides. He couldn’t speak.
“Damn. It’s happening again” Chris’s voice rang out, a mixture of fear and anger
Thin streaks of light blue etched the skies above, radiating in patterns similar to the aurora borealis, they were breathtaking. The ground quivered beneath their feet, knocking Chris and Archie to their knees. The exact same conditions that surrounded the sites during ‘the event’.
Archie’s mind raced with thoughts of death and oblivion and then an unexpected sense of peace washed over him, leaving an undercurrent of hope amidst the chaos.
Then, with a deafening bang, darkness descended upon them all and a single voice echoed across the minds of the living.
“You continue to be unworthy. You have failed the great reset.” the voice commanded “Your world cannot continue to survive the scars your civilization leaves upon its soul. It is time for us to reshape your reality and hope that within the chaos, you may find a better path forward.”
“We shall liberate this world from the shackles of mass destruction” the voice proclaimed, resolute. “We shall infuse your atmosphere with the essence of our ever-expanding universe, unveiling the true nature of existence.”
“Let the voice be your guide as you embark upon the next great era of your world. Embrace the magic, the wonder, and the mayhem that shall accompany this transformation, for it is through these trials that you shall forge a new destiny”. The voice declared with a sense of authority and higher power.
A crack of lightning suddenly deafened the world, vision slowly faded from black, to blue, to reality. Archie struggled back to his feet, glancing back out through the window. The blue streaks of light now gone, the weather back to how it was and cars stood still in the usually bustling streets. Drivers held onto their steering wheels, knuckles white, mouths agape.
Nobody knew what to say, nobody knew what to do, the world simply paused.
Slowly, engine ignitions started to kick, traffic once more began to flow. Across the coffee shop, customers and staff consoled each other whilst machines began to whirr and power returned.
The TV sprung to life, eyes widened as they stared at the scenes being shown. Aerial shots showed rolling film of Canary Wharf. At least, where Canary Wharf used to be. The landscape had undergone a transformation, rendering the once lifeless grey towers and office blocks into a mere memory.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
In their absence, a new vista unfolded before their eyes, a blend of architectural marvels lay before them, reminiscent of mediaeval castles and forts, entwined with a rich tapestry of nature, vines cascaded down the walls of the elegant white stone, with flowers, rich in colour, bursting from every crevice. A scene so beautiful it must have been born of magic captured the hearts of all who saw it, a sense of wonder warming their hearts.
The TV picture jerked.
“This is a government broadcast. We are requesting that all citizens return home if able, or seek shelter”
“This is a government broadcast. We are request that all citizens return home if able, or seek shelter”
“This is a government broadcast. We are request that all citizens return home if able, or seek shelter”
The TV screen continued to repeat.
Conversation erupted. Customers commenting on what they’d seen. Each building out more detail of the complex scenes they had tried to absorb. Some saw flying creatures on the perimeter of the fort. Some saw people, or beings, walking between the buildings. It felt impossible, like a twisted dream, but the impossible had happened before.
A car began to accelerate loudly by the coffee house, veering off course crashing into a nearby lamppost. The driver leaping out of their vehicle and without looking back sprinting in the direction of the Naval College, fear and panic alive in his eyes.
Archie craned his neck, Chris heading to the door to tackle his fear and hesitation, head on. Steeling himself, he walked onto the street, Archie close behind, peering out from behind his companions broad shoulders.
“Holy shit…how… what…” Archie gulped.
He locked eyes with a creature that must have been 200 meters away, but he knew it was staring at him. He was paralysed, filled with adrenaline. The creature put down its toy and roared in the direction of the coffee house.
With a whimper Chris pushed past Archie and headed back inside, “everybody hide, QUICK!” He whispered, the sense of urgency clear.
“What are you doing! Get back here!” Screamed Wren
Archie, quite simply, could not move. The creature lumbered towards him. A cross between trolls and goblins that had been described in fairytales for centuries and maybe, just maybe, mixed with a regular garden worm. Probably the wrong time to be thinking that, Archie thought to himself.
“Now is not the time for stupid thoughts” Archie said to himself.
The creature’s dark blue exterior faded to turquoise around its chest, lending it an otherworldly demeanour. Towering muscular hind legs pushed the creature upwards of nine feet tall. It was as broad as a military humvee, sheer bulk and power emanated from it, striking a primal fear into Archie’s heart.
Its claws, black as night, scraped against the concrete like nails on a board. Its small round mouth, brimming with razor-sharp teeth emitted guttural breaths, warm air rising through the unusually cold October air. Beady yellow eyes transfixed on Archie, he could sense its intelligence, this was no mindless beast.
Archie finally looked away, as a puddle of blood slowly emerged from a lifeless body, strewn by the side of the creature. It was no toy. The creature baulked and its lumbering walk turned into an all out sprint, thick talons scrabbling at the road in rapid succession. It was as if the creature was being prompted to take action, reacting to Archie as a threat.
Archie’s world faded to black.
“Well this is bad timing” he moaned as his eyes slid shut.
Silence.
”Am….am I dead?”
“Archie Elliot” whispered a voice
“…. God?”
“I am the Voice of this world” the voice stated. “And you, are awakened. The unquestionable powers of this universe has granted you a new role”
“You have been assigned the role of Thief”
“I’m sorry, what?” Archie thought back, confused. “Who is this? What is this?”
His blank mind began to return to the land of the living, what was colourless now turned to black, white writing staring back at him, etching itself into his mind. He knew the words were there, but it was almost as if they were imprinting themselves on his soul.
*******
— ARCHIE ELLIOT —
— Role: Thief, Level 0 —
— Specialism: none. —
— Weapons: Pending. —
— Abilities: 1 —
— Proficiencies: 3 —
* Ability 1: Lockpick. Pick any physical lock (must supply your own tools. Time to unpick dependent on lock complexity)
* Proficiency 1: Small sharp object handling
* Proficiency 2: Evasiveness (heightened ability to dodge attacks)
* Proficiency 3: Sleight of hand
********
His eyes snapped back to reality.